Hundreds of international students in the United States have been shocked to receive emails from the US Department of State (DOS) instructing them to self-deport, following the revocation of their F-1 student visas.
The crackdown, reportedly targeting students for their involvement in campus activism, has extended beyond those who physically participated in protests. Even students who shared, liked, or commented on “anti-national” social media posts have come under scrutiny, prompting concerns over the limits of free expression for foreign students in the US.
Among those affected, some Indian students have reportedly been caught in the sweep, with immigration attorneys confirming that even sharing a political post could result in visa revocation, according to The Times of India.
The latest figures from the Open Doors report show that of the 1.1 million international students studying in the US for the 2023-24 academic year, 331,000 are from India.
What is F-1 visa?
The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that permits international students to reside in the United States for the purpose of pursuing academic studies at accredited institutions.
Eligible institutions include universities, colleges, high schools, seminaries, conservatories, and approved language training programs. Applicants must be accepted into a full-time program at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school, demonstrate English proficiency or enroll in courses to achieve it, and provide proof of sufficient financial resources to support their education and living expenses in the US.
According to data from the US Department of State, Indian students have historically constituted a significant portion of the international student population in the United States.
US crackdown on F-1 visa holders
The crackdown follows remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who announced that several international student visas had been revoked for “anti-national” activities. Rubio emphasized that the US had the right to determine who is allowed entry, saying, “Every country in the world has a right to decide who comes in as a visitor and who doesn’t.”
Rubio also referenced the recent launch of an AI-powered app, “Catch and Revoke,” which aims to detect students supporting terrorist organizations such as Hamas. As part of the growing scrutiny, even new student visa applications are now under review, with the DOS looking closely at the social media activity of applicants. Those deemed guilty could face visa denials, preventing them from studying in the US.
